Trigger operating mechanism



June 8, 1943. w. M. FAY 2,321,287

TRIGGER OPERATING MECHANISM Filed April 21, 1941 Patented June 8, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TRIGGER- OPERATING MECHANISM Walter M. Fay, Ludlow, Mass.

Application April 21, 1941, Serial No. 389,545

5 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in firearms and is directed more particularly to improvements in mechanism for selectively actuating the triggers of multi-barrel firearms having separate triggers.

The principal object of the invention is the provision of means for actuating the triggers of a firearm which is characterized by a single trigger member in combination with means actuated thereby for selectively and independently acting on the plural triggers of a gun.

As is well known, a shot gun has adjacent separate barrels with a trigger for each arranged for firing movements in adjacent planes and usually one trigger is disposed somewhat rearwardly of the other. The gunner first actuates either one of the triggers and then the other but there is often difiiculty in pressing the trigger desired.

According to this invention, there is a single trigger member, which is moved in the manner of an ordinary trigger, in combination with separate trigger actuators with which the trigger member is selectively engageable. This makes it possible for the gunner to actuate the trigger of the gun in any sequence desired without the necessity of shifting the trigger finger. Thus, with facility, it is possible to select and actuate the triggers in rapid succession when desired and at the same time that trigger only that is intended to be operated is actuated.

The novel features of the invention may be associated with firearms of various types that have multi-triggers.

tion with mechanism adapted to be secured to the firearm it will be understood that the same may be provided as component parts of the firearm itself.

Various objects and advantages of the novel features of the invention will be observed from the following description of the present preferred form thereof taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a front side elevational view of the mechanism of the invention in association with the trigger guard and triggers of a firearm represented by dot-dash lines, and with parts in section for clearness;

Fig. 2 is a rear side elevational view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevational view on the line 3--3 of Fig. 1;

Figs. 4 and 5 are plan views of the forward While the invention for purposes of disclosure will be described in connecand rear trigger actuators respectively of the mechanism shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3; and

Figs. 6 and '7 are front elevational views of "re pawls constituting a part of the trigger actuators.

Referring now to the drawing more in detail, the invention will be more fully described.

The mechanism of the invention is to be described as being secured to the trigger guard of a firearm but it will be understood that the same may be constructed as the component parts of the firearm wherefor it is not desired to be limited to the specific form of the invention shown.

A trigger guard is represented by dot-dash lines G and forward and rear triggers are represented by dot-dash lines 2 and 4 which triggers for firing are pressed on so as to move them rearwardly.

A support 6 has a horizontal lower foot part 8 that may abut the underside of the guard G. A lower plate l0 suitably secured to the underside of the foot has a bolt l2 with a screw slidable therein that is provided with a hooked end l3 for engaging one side of the ard G. Other bolts l4 passing through the plate have hook members It slidable thereon for engaging the other side of the said guard.

A washer l8 and a nut 20 onthe bolt I2 and nuts 22 on the bolts M are provided so that the lower part of the guard may be engaged by the end 13 of bolt [2 and the hook members It to secure the support 6 to the guard G.

The upper end of the support 6 has a portion 26 extending outwardly and downwardly so as to be spaced from the main body of the support.

A pivot member 21 which preferably consists of a bolt is secured to the support, and the upper end of a link 28 is pivoted on the pivot member 21. The lower end of the said link has a pivot pin 39.

A member 32 is carried intermediate its ends on said pivot 30 and is disposed between the link 28 and support.

A transverse part 34 of the member 32 extends below the lower end of the link 28 and has an upwardly extending portion 36 receiving the end of the pivot 30.

A trigger member 49 has its rear end suitably secured to the 'part 36 and is provided with a suitably formed finger engaging portion 42.

According to the parts described, the trigger member may be pressed on by the finger and moved rearwardly to trigger actuating position carrying member 32 with it. Means is provided to tilt the trigger member and member 32 as they are moved rearwardly so as to be moved rearwardly or to trigger actuating positions in different paths.

To accomplish this there are interconnected diverging cam slots 44 and 46 provided in the support and a member 41 secured thereto in which cam slots in a pilot 48 of a bolt 49 in the end of member 32. As the trigger member 40 is pressed on by the trigger finger, the forward portion thereof is tilted slightly up or down so that the pilot 48 enters one of the slots 44 or 46. Thus in operating the trigger member it is moved upwardly and rearwardly or downwardly and rearwardly, being thereby movable to trigger actuating position in different paths according to the selection of the path or which one of the triggers it is desired to operate.

A spring 56 around pivot 21 has its opposite ends engaging a pin 52 and the link 28 as shown to urge the trigger member 46 and member 32 forwardly when the part 42 is released by the -finger.

The trigger actuators will now be described.

A lever 66 has a shaft 64 rotatable in the support and a lateral projection 62 to lie forwardly of trigger 2. A loop member 66 is provided to form with the projection a slot to receive the trigger 2. projection 62 thereof actuates said trigger 2. A pawl 68 behind and fixedly associated with lever 60 has a notch 16 with which a notch 12 of member 32 is engageable as the finger portion 42 of the trigger member is moved upwardly and rearwardly to so move member 32.

An actuator 86 has a shaft 82 rotatable in the support and it has a laterally extending portion 84 for lying in front of trigger 4. As this lever 88 swings rearwardly said trigger 4 is actuated. A pawl 86 on the shaft 82 is adjustable relative to the lever 88 by means of an adjusting screw 88 threaded in the lever 86 that abuts the pawl 86, and a binding screw 90 passing through an enlarged hole in lever 80 and in threaded engage- .ment with pawl 86.

Notches 92 and 94 in the pawl 86 and member 32 are engageable when the forward end of the member 32 is moved downwardly and rearwardly by the trigger member.

A loop 96 on the lever 80 is spaced therefrom, as shown, to receive the trigger 4. The loop members 65 and 95 on the levers 66 and 86 are not shown in Fig. 1 for clearness and may be omitted in some cases if desired.

The actuating lever 66 and its pawl 68 are disclosed as being fixed together but they may be arranged for relative adjustment similarly to the lever 80 and pawl 66, if desired and necessary.

The trigger member and member 32 by reason of the connection with the support are mounted for forward and back movements as well as for tilting. The pilot 48 and slots 44 and 46 provide means for tilting the trigger member and the member 32 so they are guided for rearward movements in different paths.

The finger portion 42 of the trigger member is readily moved up or down by means of the finger so that the pilot is directed into one or the other of the slots then being so directed pressure on the trigger member moves it in one of the paths mentioned according to the slot into which the pilot passes.

It is intended and the parts will be so constructed and arranged that as the finger portion As lever 66 swings rearwardly the 42 of the trigger member is moved upwardly or downwardly and pressed rearwardly either one or the other of the actuators will be operated. Thus, it is possible with the single trigger to act on the trigger desired and selectively actuate the said triggers.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the essential characteristics thereof. Hence, the present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects merely as being illustrative and not as being restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all modifications and variations as fall within the meaning and purview and range of equivalency of the appended claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

What it is desired to claim and secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. Unitary trigger operating mechanism for attachment to the trigger guard of a firearm having plural triggers comprising, a support and means for securing the same to a trigger guard, a trigger movable relative to said support between non-firing and trigger operating position, separate trigger actuating means for operatively engaging each of said plural triggers movable on said support and said trigger, means associated with said support for selectively guiding the trigger in different paths as it is moved to operating position, and means associated with said trigger and each actuating means selectively engageable according to the selected path of movement of the trigger in movement thereof to trigger operating position. I

2. Unitary trigger operating mechanism for attachment to the trigger guard of a double barrel firearm comprising, a support and means for securing the same to a trigger guard, a trigger movable relative to said support between forward non-firing and rear trigger operating positions, selective guiding means associated with said trigger and support for directing movement of the trigger ends in upper or lower paths in its movement to trigger operating position, separate actuating means movable on the support engageable with each trigger of the firearm, and separate means on the trigger for engaging each actuating means whereby as the trigger is moved to trigger operating position one of said actuating means is engaged according to the selected path of movement of the trigger.

3. Unitary trigger operating mechanism for attachment to the trigger guard of a double barrel firearm comprising, a support and means for securing the same to a trigger guard, a trigger movable relative to said support between forward non-firing and rear trigger operating positions, selective guiding means associated with said trigger and support for directing movement of the trigger ends in upper or lower paths in its movement to trigger operating position, separate actuating means movable on the support engageable with each trigger of the firearm, and separate means on the trigger for engaging each actuating means whereby as the trigger is moved to trigger operating position one of said actuating means is engaged according to the selected path of movement of the trigger, said guiding means ineluding intercommunicating cam slots provided in the support arranged in rearwardly diverging relation and a projection on said trigger operable in one or the other of said slots as said trigger is moved from forward to rear position.

4. Unitary trigger operating mechanism for attachment to the trigger guard of a double barrel firearm comprising, a support member and means for securing the same to a trigger guard, a trigger member, link means pivotally connecting the trigger member intermediate its ends to said support member whereby said trigger member may be moved from forward non-firing to rear trigger operating positions in different paths, selective guiding means associated with said members including intercommunicating diverging cam slots provided in one of said members and a projection on the other of said members operable therein for guiding the trigger member in diii'erent paths in movement from forward to rear positions, separate trigger operating means for each trigger of the firearm, and engaging means associated with said trigger operating means and trigger member engageable according to the path of movement of the trigger member selected in its movement from forward to rear position.

5. Unitary trigger operating mechanism for attachment to the trigger guard of a double barrel firearm comprising, a support member and means for securing the same to a trigger guard, a trigger member, link means pivotally connecting the tri ger intermediate its ends to said support whereby said trigger may be moved from forward nonfiring to rear trigger operating positions in dif ferent paths, selective guiding means associated with said members including intercommunicating diverging cam sic-ts provided in one of said members and a projection on the other of said members operable therein for guiding the trigger in different paths in movement from forward to rear positions, separate trigger operating means for each trigger of the firearm, and engaging means associated with said trigger operating means and trigger member engageable according to the path of movement of the trigger member selected in its movement from forward to rear position, each of said trigger operating means including a swingable member engaging a firearm trigger, and said engaging means including engageable notches on said operating means and trigger member.

WALTER M. FAY. 

